Top News:
New York Post:
Gerrit Cole can avoid Tommy John surgery in Yankees' sigh of relief — The Yankees are close to Cy'ing with relief. — After Gerrit Cole visited with Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Thursday, the belief for now is the Yankees ace can avoid Tommy John surgery, The Post has learned.
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Jorge Castillo / ESPN:
Yankees' Gerrit Cole won't need Tommy John surgery, source says — The New York Yankees received positive news Thursday: Gerrit Cole was informed he will not need Tommy John surgery, at least for now, after visiting Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles for a second opinion on his right elbow …
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, New York Post, baseballmusings.com, New Jersey Online and MLB.com
New York Post:
Gerrit Cole to miss at least 1-to-2 months as Yankees ace visits noted surgeon — Yankees ace Gerrit Cole will be out at least one-to-two months and will head to Los Angeles for an appointment with noted sports surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, The Post has learned.
Buster Olney / ESPN:
What's next for Yankees after Gerrit Cole's injury news? — As the New York Yankees await news on the severity of Gerrit Cole's elbow issue, the reality of the calendar is this: He will be unavailable for a potentially significant period of time, and they are going to need to identify someone to pitch the games he cannot.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, Bleacher Nation, NESN.com and Yahoo Sports
The Athletic:
Astros are pursuing Blake Snell: Sources — The Houston Astros are at it again. — In January, they signed closer Josh Hader, the best closer on the free-agent market. Now, according to sources briefed on their discussions, they are engaged in a serious pursuit of left-hander Blake Snell, the best starter on the market.
Discussion:
MLB.com, NBC Sports Bay Area …, Pinstripe Alley, New York Post, ClutchPoints, New Jersey Online and MLB Trade Rumors
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Chandler Rome / The Athletic:
Blake Snell to Astros? Why the reigning Cy Young Award winner could fit well — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Astros owner Jim Crane coveted Blake Snell and Josh Hader during last season's trade deadline, but lamented afterward that the duo “never got on the board.”
Discussion:
ClutchPoints, Bleacher Nation, The Athletic, MLB Trade Rumors and Sportsnet.ca
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Padres acquire RHP Dylan Cease in trade with White Sox — MLB, Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres — The San Diego Padres have acquired right-hander Dylan Cease from the Chicago White Sox, it was announced on Wednesday. — The White Sox are receiving right-hander Drew Thorpe …
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The Athletic:
Padres acquire Dylan Cease from White Sox in 5-player trade
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune, FriarWire, Chicago Sun Times, Just Baseball, MLB.com, ClutchPoints, FanGraphs Baseball, New Jersey Online, Yahoo Sports, NBC Sports Chicago, Baseball America, New York Post, MLB Trade Rumors, New York Daily News, Associated Press, USA Today, Gaslamp Ball, Lone Star Ball, DraftKings Network and NBC Sports Bay Area …
Associated Press:
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol earns 2-year extension — JUPITER, Fla. — Coming off a last-place finish in the NL Central, the St. Louis Cardinals displayed confidence in manager Oliver Marmol and announced a two-year contract extension through 2026. — “The most important thing for Oli …
Discussion:
The Athletic, The Cardinal Nation, KSDK-TV and ClutchPoints
Jon Heyman / New York Post:
Angels possibly had chance to keep Shohei Ohtani — Folks around the Angels believe Shohei Ohtani had a good chance to return had the Angels accepted the $700 million deferred deal that was being offered to the finalists (at least the Blue Jays and Giants accepted in addition to the Dodgers).
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, ClutchPoints, Los Angeles Times, Yahoo Sports and The Athletic
CNN:
RFK Jr.'s VP prospect Aaron Rodgers has shared false Sandy Hook conspiracy theories in private conversations — Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has confirmed that among his potential vice-presidential prospects is New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers …
Associated Press:
Bill Plummer, backup C in ‘Big Red Machine’ era, dies at 76 — CINCINNATI — Bill Plummer, a reliable catcher who spent spent seven seasons backing up Johnny Bench during the “Big Red Machine” era and later served as a coach and manager in the majors and minors, has died. He was 76.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and MLB Trade Rumors
John Shea / San Francisco Chronicle:
Optimistic A's manager Mark Kotsay has lofty ‘expectation’ of a .500 season — MESA, Ariz. — Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay had a smile on his face as he sauntered into the Hohokam Stadium clubhouse Tuesday morning. Consecutive 100-loss seasons and the franchise's messy relocation business …
Discussion:
NBC Sports Bay Area …
